To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Humboldt Bay Trail South Project - Construction Plans and Specifications
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached plans and specifications for the Humboldt Bay Trail South Project; and
2. Direct the Director of Public Works to advertise the above-referenced project, upon receipt of Authorization to Proceed from the Federal Highways Administration, as required by Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened five (5) weeks after the date that advertisement begins.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Bicycles & Trailways Program (1710), California Active Transportation Program, State
Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Transportation
DISCUSSION:
Humboldt County is implementing the Humboldt Bay Trail South Project (“Project”) which will expand the Humboldt Bay Trail by four and one-quarter (4.25) miles and complete the trail connection between Eureka and Arcata. The Project will connect with the Eureka Waterfront Trail near the Target store and with the City of Arcata’s existing Humboldt Bay Trail segment located north of the Bracut Industrial Park. The Project will serve multiple purposes including active transportation, coastal access, and recreation and will provide a significant advancement of the Great Redwood Trail and the California Coastal Trail.
The Project will provide a stand-alone paved trail (also known as a shared-use path) separated from roadways except for crossing the driveway into Bracut Industrial Park. The majority of the trail will be situated between Highway 101 and the railroad corridor, except where the alignment is situated on the levee surrounding the Brainard mill site (approximately one (1) mile) and where the trail is situated on the Eureka Slough railroad bridge. The Project includes widening the railroad prism, major modifications to the Eureka Slough railroad bridge, construction of three (3) new trail bridges, repairs to the shoreline armoring along the railroad, raising the elevation of the railroad between Brainard and Bracut to address flood hazards, tree removal, paving, fencing, and other safety features and amenities.
On July 31, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 18-79 which adopted the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
On Nov. 8, 2022, your Board approved, and authorize the Director of Public Works to advertise and distribute, a request for qualifications regarding the provision of construction management services for the Project. The proposed professional services agreement with the selected firm will be brought to the Board of Supervisors for review and approval in a separate agenda item.
Public Works has prepared the attached plans and specifications for the Project. The work proposed in the attached plans and specifications consists of construction of a shared-use path and associated facilities, including (but not limited to) clearing and grubbing, tree removal, earthwork, asphalt paving, concrete paving, bridge modification and construction, reinforced embankments, railroad track removal, railroad crosstie replacement, solar street lighting, fencing, bollards, drainage facilities, signage, pavement striping and markings, traffic control, construction staking, and erosion control.
The plans and specifications have been organized to include a base project and an additive bid item. The additive bid item affects the number of treated timber crossties to be replaced on the Eureka Slough bridge. The base project includes replacing an estimated 125 crossties (approximately 25%) on the Eureka Slough bridge, which are in the worst condition. The additive bid item would replace additional crossties (up to approximately 75%), which are in fair to good condition. The additive bid item will be included in the awarded contract if the price of the base project plus additive bid item is less than the construction budget.
Public Works proposes to advertise the Project for five (5) weeks upon receiving Federal Highway Administration’s issuance of authorization to proceed with construction. Public Works anticipates returning to the Board of Supervisors in March 2023 for contract award. Construction would likely begin on or around May 1, 2023. The Project is specified for completion within 160 working days. Construction is expected to extend through 2023 and into 2024.
Accordingly, Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the attached plans and specifications and advertise the Humboldt Bay Trail South Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total estimated construction cost for the base project is $12,648,902. With contingencies, the base construction capital cost is $14,546,902. The estimated cost for construction management is $1,500,000. The total estimated construction cost for the base project is $16,046,902.
The estimated construction cost for the additive bid item is $353,000. With contingencies, the additive bid item capital cost is $406,000. The total estimated construction cost for the base project plus additive bid item is $16,452,902.
On Oct. 13, 2022, the California Transportation Commission allocated $13,296,000 for construction. Previously, the State Coastal Conservancy authorized a total of $2,000,000 for the Project (approximately $1,850,000 for construction) and the California Department of Transportation (“Caltrans”) committed $1,250,000 for construction pursuant to a cooperative agreement. With these three funding sources the total construction budget is $16,396,000.
Funds for the Project are incorporated in the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget at revenue line 1710715-523190 and expenditure line 1710715-8946. The proposed action will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Transportation Commission, Caltrans, California Coastal Conservancy
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the attached plans and specifications for the Project. However, this alternative is not recommended because the Project has been a regional priority for over 20 years. The deadline for awarding the construction contract is April 13, 2023 (six (6) months after the date of allocation by the California Transportation Commission) and the construction funding will lapse if the construction contract is not awarded by this deadline. If the Project is not constructed, Humboldt County will need to reimburse the State for the funding used for design and permitting.
ATTACHMENTS:
1 Plans for the Humboldt Bay Trail South Project; Project No. RPSTPL-5904(143), RPL-5904(180), and ATPL-5904(182); Contract Number 715036
2 Specifications for the Humboldt Bay Trail South Project; Project No. RPSTPL-5904(143), RPL-5904(180), and ATPL-5904(182); Contract Number 715036
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-1; D-22
Meeting of: Jul. 31, 2018; Nov. 8, 2022
File No.: 18-941; 22-1482